Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles CZ 527 bolt rifle 7.62x39 whitetail loads?

Looking for a 7.62x39 whitetail load for the CZ 527 carbine bolt action rifle. Nice light rifle, my son's do well with.

1:9 rate of twist
18.5" barrel length



Thanks in advance.

Mike,

I have a Ruger Mini 30 that I use for deer hunting. The ammo that works best for me is Barnaul from Russia. Wolf ammo gives me plenty of jams. I don't know why. The 122gr, 123gr and 124gr Hollow points work well. The earlier white box (Barnaul) if you can find it, is great stuff. Seen some on gunbroker but had to head out for work so I didn't bid. Tried some 125SP Remington ammo but accuracy wasn't there for my Mini. I can't use FMJ here in my state for deer.

Ken

Mike;

.311" bore, or .308" bore?

Sean
Bore is .311"

Rem 125gr PSP factory loads shoot well, 1.50" groups at 100m. Looking for other bullet options for this season.

Both of my boys are using 527's this deer season.

Thanks

Mike, these are neat, accurate little rifles. I have tried several bullets in mine ranging from the 123 gr Hornadys up to 170 gr fp 30-30 bullets. They all shot well enough for whitetail hunting out to 150-175 yds. There seemed to be little difference in accuracy between .310 and .308 bullets. I plan to test it some more, but will likely end up using the Hornadys or some WW 150 gr fp 30-30 bullets.

Didn't get a chance to shoot a whitetail with it last season but hope to this year.

....Hey Mike try S&B 123 grain soft-point ammo. I buy it at a local gun dealer for 6.99 a box of 20. This is FIRST quality brass cased ammo, that prints 3/4" groups out of my 527 carbine! Last year I killed a 186lb. 9 point buck at 120 yards, one shot slightly quartering. The bullet entered just behind the right shoulder, exiting at the rear of the left flank ribcage. I haven't used this little gem of a rifle other than that kill, but it sure has given me the best of starts! I went back and bought ten more boxes of the S&B ammo!...I believe I saw that same S&B soft-point in a cheaper than dirt catalog, or perhaps Midway carries it if you can't find it locally where you live.

As Hook has pointed out,.308 dia bullets should work just fine in your .311 CZ.

For deer sized game bullet selection is key. You need to select a bullet that will expand and penetrate at the slower velocities of the 7.62x39. That puts you in the 30-30 class or the Ballistic tip class. Going .308 will give you a lot more options compared to the .310-.311.

I load for and hunt with a Ruger Mini-30. Here is my list of favorite bullets for deer sized game out to 150 yards. In order, #0 135gr Sierra SSP(Discontinued) #1 Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tip, #2 150gr Hornady 30-30 RN, #3 Nosler 150gr Ballistic Tip, #4 Speer 130gr FN and #5 Speer 150gr FN. All of these bullets will work extremely well down to about 1500fps.

As for powder there is a whole bunch that will do the job. Only you and your rifle can find what is best. If I had to pick one or two powders to start with in the CZ I would start with AA 1680, it was designed for the 7.62x39 and id a well known favorite or one of the 4198s. I also really like N-120, H322 and AA 2015.

I and my boys have used the Wolf 122 gr Copper Jacketed HP load in the same rifle on Texas whitetails, blackbuck and hogs with complete success out to 150 yards or so. They well enough (<2" @ 100 yards). I bought a 2 1000 round cases four or so years ago for $150 IIRC. I was worried at first given the HP bullet but it penetrated well enough, behaved like a Nosler Ballistic Tip I'd guess. It's about the only rifle I do not handload for and have no intention of doing so.

These are fun, light and accurate rifles that quickly become favorite go to's.

I have good results with Remington 124gr PSP, Winchester (hard primers), and Wolf on occassion. I do want other bullet options with reloading for whitetail.

Searching for some S&B soft points to try while I compile 'load data'.



Guys thanks for the great information.

The Wolf's that I use (copper jacketed) I have only seen once hence my purchase.

Mike;

If you want to try 125 gr. .308" Nosler Ballistic Tips, let me know.

RL 7 or RL 10 for a powder...

125 grain Ballistic Tip, 110 grain V Max, 110 grain Sierra HP, 110 grain Hornady Sp. 130 grain Speer FN, 150 Gr Speer FN..

those would be any of my choices for that velocity range.. both RL powders are very accurate out of the 7.62 x 39...